Scholarship created in memory of 1998 SMC graduate

Future Southwestern Michigan College students will benefit from the generosity of a former graduate's family.
The Brian Michael Blazek Memorial Scholarship established by his parents and sister creates a $40,336 Southwestern Michigan College endowment. The Blazeks also funded a $1,000 outside scholarship to be awarded for the fall 2018/spring 2019 semesters.

The scholarship named for the 1998 SMC graduate will be awarded to a student with financial need, at least a 2.8 high school grade-point average (GPA), pursuing an associate degree in applied science in engineering technology, pre-engineering or robotics and is a U.S. citizen. It is renewable for a second year if the student compiles at least a 3.0 GPA.

Brian, who died from a heart attack Oct. 16, 2017, earned an Associate in Applied Science degree focusing on aviation mechanics which put him on the path to earn another degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla.

“Even though we no longer offer degrees in aviation mechanics, the Blazek's scholarship is evidence of the enduring positive impact an SMC education can have on our students' lives," said SMC President Dr. David Mathews. "We appreciate this generous gift to help further our mission to provide affordable local access to high-quality, post-secondary career preparation and college education."

Born March 27, 1969, and a graduate of South Bend’s St. Joseph High School, Brian was the son of Jo Ann and Joseph Blazek of Diamond Lake, Cassopolis, and brother of Krista Hogarth of Chicago. It was at SMC where he found himself and developed his interest in aviation mechanics. “Finding something he felt he was good at was the missing piece,” Hogarth said. “Success beget success. He was always interested in airplanes and was the kid who took everything apart” to learn how it worked. “SMC gave him direction,” his mother said. “Its teachers were good at caring and giving him personal attention.”

By the time he graduated from Embry-Riddle, his education opened work opportunities across the globe, and he went forth confidently. Brian worked for Alpha Aviation Group, a London-based company with offices in the Philippines. As Director of Aircraft Maintenance, he championed safety for his aircraft and student pilots. He had just completed a company-wide campaign to install airbags in student planes and was proud they never lost a student pilot during his tenure.

His company plans to erect a new hangar he advocated and to name it for him. “Brian would really be proud of that,” Mrs. Blazek said. “It’s bittersweet he didn’t live to see it,” said Hogarth, who remembers her big brother as generous, kind, stubborn, fiercely loyal and hilarious.

There will be a Celebration of Life service to remember Brian July 8 at Camp Eberhart near Three Rivers. His family attended church services in its outdoor chapel during their summers at Diamond Lake.